AR Mags:USGI vs. Magpul PMAG

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I don't know why there is so much hype over the Magpul PMAGs. Are they really lighter than the USGI mags? And are they really better?

I'm trying to figure out why some folks love the new polymer mags so much, and whether I should spend my money there, or on some good USGI mags. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
And are they really better?
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Yep.

USGI mags work, but PMAGs help a lot...more resistant to damage, more reliable in short. And they aren't outrageously price, something that other competitors to the USGI mag can't claim.
 
In my experience the problem with the USGI mags is inconsistency. I know when I was active duty I labeled all my magazines so as not to get them mixed up with others during training exercises. I had some with green followers, some with black, and even one with a metal follower. I cleaned them and maintained them, and even modified them to suit me. My mags worked right every time. Whereas brand new magazines from various manufacturers many times failed. They caused jams and double feeds. even when I myself ripped them out of the plastic brand spanking new.

With a company like Magpul I feel confident that my magazines weren't manufactured by the lowest bidder. I feel confident that the odds of a poorly manufactured or inconsistent magazine are greatly reduced. In the Army if a magazine fails you throw it away or turn it in to the armorer. This doesn't exactly put a lot of pressure on the magazine manufacturer to maintain high production standards.
 
i have over 30 30rd USGI mags, and i have 8 pmags, and i want more of the pmags. there are a bunch of cool features that they have on them that most people don't think about. there was alot of work and thought that went into them.
 
They're both good, and I'd get some of each. I would also check out Lancer L5 magazines. On the GI mags, you will probably have much better consistency and reliability with mags from D&H, NHMTG, or Brownell's, vs. anyone else (C-something in particular). On the other hand other brands can be slightly cheaper if you're looking only for range/plinking use.
 
PMags are designed as an improvement over USGI and, as had been mentioned, they are an improvement that doesn't jump the price (unlike, say, HKs, though how much of an improvement they are is debatable . . .).
 
IMHO the only USGI that I have experience with being as good as the PMags are those made by LaBelle. Great mags, but I like 20rnd mags, which PMags are hands down better than USGI. :)
 
I mags work, but PMAGs help a lot...more resistant to damage, more reliable in short.
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That's a bit of a stretch.

I have GI magazines that are 30+ years old that function 100% and have survived just fine.

They are an excellent mag but you can't really argue that somehow they are better.

The clear window showing rounds remaining is nice, the polymer is strong as all get out, but better?

No, just an alternative. And that's always a good thing.
 
I have both and like the pmags much better. If I could do it again, I would have only gotten pmags. Its all I buy now.
 
I for one think good high strength polymer is the way to go as far as magazines are concerned. Well actually I like steel but if it comes down to aluminum or plastic I choose plastice anytime.

I think pmags are great and an improvement in materials and design over USGI mags. The price is right too.

The russians have gone the polymer magazine route and their latest generation AK and saiga mags are pretty tough.
 
Main weak point I've seen on Russian mags is the metal feed lip inserts -- drop them just right and you can get a bend that can cause misfires. The plastic itself (even the old bakelites) seem to hold up well, though.
 
Lancer L5.

I love my P-mags, but the L5s have them beat IMO: they are far more durable than USGI mags, have all the features of a P-mag, and usually cost $5 less each then a P-mag.

I don't know if an L5 will beat a P-mag in a "youtube" torture test, but they will withstand being drug behind a car and left under the hood of an operating vehicle (also on youtube). They are more durable than needed, even if they aren't the most durable thing ever.

If you can get over the fact that L5's aren't compatible with a LULA loader, and require a proprietary but inexpensive tool to dissemble, then they are a viable alternative to P-mags.
 
Try dropping your full loaded USGI mag on the feedlips a dozen times. Repeat the test with a Pmag.

I've seen a lot fewer rifle malfunctions at our local matches since most of the shooters have switched to Pmags. BSW
 
I prefer Lancer L5s over Pmags. Granted, the Pmags are marketed and hyped much more than the Lancers but I've seen P mags with chewed up feed lips and cracks at the rear top of the body where the follower engages the bolt catch.

I like the steel feed lips of the Lancers, and they just look cool to boot. In the end, Lancers and Pmags are both ultra-reliable so it comes down to personal choice, either will serve you well.
 
They are no lighter than USGI mags. However they can withstand greater punishment and abuse than any other AR15 mags I know of.

PMAG's are my favorites. I have plenty of USGI mags and don't plan on getting rid of them any time soon, but I am buying more PMAG's than anything else right now.
 
I do want to try some SS C-Products mags if I can ever find any. Should be darn near indestructable and take those nifty CMMG followers. I think I'll leave the Lancers for yawl'...unless they can take the CMMG follower I don't think it's worth the extra $5 a mag. :)
 
Lancers don't need the CMMG follower, they feed reliably as they are.
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Neither do the PMags...I just like the CMMG followers better, they operate a bit smoother do to the lower frictional coefficient. :)
 
True enough I suppose. As I said you can't go wrong with either of the mags mentioned. :)

I do want to try some SS C-Products mags if I can ever find any.
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I have on of their SS 20-round mags with the orange MagPul follower (it's a copy of the MP follower actually) and my first impression was that the mag body is flimsy since it flexes so much but I've ran a couple hundred rounds through it now without a single problem so it has earned my trust and therefore the C-products stainless steel mags are good-to-go IMO. My only gripe is there is no slack left after loading it up with 20 rounds, and that means no insertion on a closed bolt.
 
As I said you can't go wrong with either of the mags mentioned.
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Agreed, neither really needs it, I just like the smoother feeding it offers...and I have a couple that need a home. :)
 
Aside from being btter designed, and tougher material the reason I like the Pmags is that they can be bought for $14.20 or a bit more, the USGI mags cost around $20 each or more.
 
I don't have much experience with Lancers but the couple I have handled seemed like they went cheap when selecting polymers for the body. Steel feed lips are always good but plastic feed lips have their benefits too. To each his own, to me though the pmags are just a well engineered and well executed product.
 
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